Suncoast Suns
The Suncoast Suns were the first professional hockey club on Florida's west coast and the state's second, trailing only the Jacksonville (or Florida) Rockets. From 1971 until 1973, they skated in the Bayfront Center.
Because of the success of the Jacksonville team, which occasionally played in St. Petersburg, the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) gave St. Petersburg a franchise in 1971. The Suns would play two seasons in the Eastern League, with limited success, before the league dissolved. For the 1973-74 season, the team relocated to the Southern Hockey League (SHL). However, due to dwindling fan support, the Suns folded in the middle of that season in December 1973. Jack McCartan, who played on the US Olympic hockey team that won gold in 1960, is one of their most famous alumni.
Because of the success of the Jacksonville team, which occasionally played in St. Petersburg, the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) gave St. Petersburg a franchise in 1971. The Suns would play two seasons in the Eastern League, with limited success, before the league dissolved. For the 1973-74 season, the team relocated to the Southern Hockey League (SHL). However, due to dwindling fan support, the Suns folded in the middle of that season in December 1973. Jack McCartan, who played on the US Olympic hockey team that won gold in 1960, is one of their most famous alumni.
